Love Rekindled

Morning traffic crawled, the city bus packed with people. Zelda sat in front folder in hand, she thought to herself "My fifth interview this week, five times of being rejected". She looked out the window thinking of how she thought things would turn out after graduation. She sighed, then started reciting answers to mock questions under her breath. She was tired but she knew she had to do this. She arrived at her destination, a tall towering building. "Number 207", the interviewer called. "My head felt numb but I pushed that feeling away." The interview went on smoothly, Zelda sounded confident but her eyes showed how tired she was of this cycle. "So why do you think you're the right pick for this position" the interviewer asked. "Because I don't just meet requirements, I live them. My experience and passion for innovation makes me confident". The interviewer looked distracted, She barely paid attention to Zelda. She smiled, smiled too politely. Shortly after-the interview ended, and the words she dreaded the most reached her ears. "Thank you for your time, we'll get back to you". By now she knew what that meant- She forced a smile and thanked them." Because that's what you do, right?" She walks out calmly, but inside she's screaming. Her throat tightens " Maybe I should stop trying. Maybe I'm not as brilliant as I thought". She headed for the cafe, her go to place when things fall apart. She picked up the menu- already knowing what to get. "Can I get a burger and a strawberry refresher please" A little comfort after disappointment- she said. Zelda took out her phone, opened her notes app- a growing list of companies she applied to, most of them crossed out. She takes a bite of her burger, chews slowly, trying not to let the weight of everything drown her. She thought to herself, "You're not allowed to give up today, common on Zelda you can't cry, not now. As she sips her drink, her eyes scan the list one more time. Jewel Tek- The last one. She checks her calendar, the interview is tomorrow. Her heart skips a beat- she almost forgot. She breaths in. "Okay, one more shot." She closes her eyes, leans back in the booth, whispering "Don't screw this up". The next morning. Same routine, same everything. Zelda tries to look her best despite the ache in her feet. The interview panel was polite, formal but distant. She answers all the questions given to her well, strong- smart, but they barely react. And at the end " Thank you for your time, we'll get back to you". her inner thoughts- That line again. Still she puts a smile on her face, she felt numb inside. Walks out with her head high but it was heavier than ever. She boards a bus, then gets off near her rundown neighbourhood. She pulls out her phone- opens her banking app. The screen lights up, a pitiful amount pops up. Not enough for food, not enough for transport next week, or even enough for rent. She stops in the middle of the sidewalk, blinking fast to keep the tears from falling. But her chest feels tight- it's too much. She walks quickly, trying to hold it together. Her heels gets caught in a c***k on the pavement. She stumbled hard. One heel breaks off. She had enough she breaks into sobs, all the tears she'd been holding back came rushing that moment. She sits right there on the sidewalk- mascara running, shoulders shaking. People walks pass, staring, judging, ignoring- no one stops. She looks at her shoe "Look at you, crying over shoes like it's the end of the world". She stands up slowly, holding her broken heels in both hands. walks down the street, suddenly it starts to shower lightly..... then pour. Zelda hurriedly reaches into her bag for her umbrella. it's not there. She left it at home. She let the rain fall on her- eyes squeezed shut, muttering: "Why? What did I ever do to deserve this?" As she walks through the rain, make-up ruined, soaked to the skin... A man jogs across the street towards her, he hands out an umbrella to her. She flinches, he doesn't say much- just gently place the umbrella in her hand. He covers his head with his palm and rushed towards the entrance of a nearby building. She stands there still crying. Holding the umbrella, watching him disappear. She arrives at her small, dim apartment- soaked, exhausted. Tosses the broken heels by the door. Drops the umbrella beside them. She stands still for a moment dripping. Then slowly peels off her wet clothes, wipes her face then changes into a large shirt. She walks pass the umbrella again- pauses. "I didn't even see his face. Didn't even say thank you." She stares out the window as the rain continues to fall. Thoughts- Who was that stranger? Why did he stop for her when no one else did? Later that evening. In a warm, sleek bachelor- style apartment. With subtle signs of wealth, but clean and understated. Julius steps out of the bathroom, towel still on his neck. Water drips from his hair as he pulls on a white T- shirt, he walks slowly to the edge of his bed and sits. "She was crying like the world ended." "I've seen desperation before.... but that?" He exhales, running a hand through his damp hair. He doesn't know why it's bothering him so much, just something about the way she cried- like no one had listened for a very long time. Weekend morning. No alarms were set to go off. Zelda half- asleep, dragging herself out of bed, she reaches for the counter to grab a glass of water. She drinks slowly, planning to crawl back into bed. Then. Her phone beeps. She opens the message with low expectations... but freezes. It's from Jewel Tek. "Congratulations, miss. Zelda. You've been accepted. please report on Monday. Her hands tremble. She read it twice, three times. Her eyes widen. She drop onto her bed- overwhelmed, but in disbelief. Finally something worked. Monday morning Arrival. Zelda stands outside the building, holding a hot latte, wearing a fresh blazer - one she'd bought weeks ago "just in case." She breaths in deeply feeling proud, nervous, determined. "You made it. You're really here." She walks in directed to a waiting area, where She meets Mr. Ben, her team manager. "Hello, you must be Zelda". "I'm Mr. Ben I'll be walking you through the layout." "Nice to meet you". They shake hands, Zelda greets him with a warm smile. "This way please." Mr. Ben said. They reached the elevator and the doors slide open- Julius and his assistant Adrian are already inside.